Mavericks

If the Rim Country Middle School eighth-grade boys and girls basketball teams won tournament quarterfinal games yesterday (Thursday), they will advance to the White Mountain final four to be played tomorrow in Show Low. (Results were not available at press time).

The boys team entered the quarterfinals with a 5-1 league record (6-4 overall) and in second place in the regular season WML standings.

The tournament favorites appear to be the Snowflake Lobos who beat RCMS 56-41 in the regular season. The Mavs own WML wins over Joseph City, St. Johns, Winslow and Holbrook (two).

The Lady Mavs finished the season with a 4-2 slate (6-5 overall) and tied with Whiteriver and St. Johns for second place.

Round Valley and Snowflake deadknotted for the WML regular season title with 6-0 records. The two didn't meet during the season, but could possibly clash in the tournament.

The RCMS boys team is coached by Randy Wilcox and the girls by Louis Crabtree.

Powerlifting

Show Low is set to host the inaugural White Mountain Powerlifting and Bench Press championships.

Slated for April 5 and 6 in the Show Low Intermediate School gymnasium, the event is expected to draw powerlifters from around the state, including Payson.

In the powerlifting competition, participants will execute a full squat, deadlift and bench press.

The champions will be those who successfully lift the most total weight in the combined lifts.

Competitors can also opt to participate in a bench-press-only event.

Each entrant will be allowed three lifts to achieve their best mark.

The entrant who bench presses the greatest amount of weight on a single lift will be declared the winner.

Prior to the start of the competition at 9 a.m. Friday, a rules clinic will be held to explain how the lifting will be judged. The regulations will be those used in AAU meets.

Also, weigh-ins will be held from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. April 6 at Black Bart's gym on Deuce of Clubs Dr. in Show Low. In both the bench press and powerlift, entrants will compete in age/weight/sex divisions.

The age groups will include teen (16-19 years), junior (20-23), open (24-40) and lifetime (40-plus).

Lifters also can choose to participate in an assisted or raw division. In assisted, participants may use supportive equipment including belts, gloves, wraps and tapings. In raw, they may only use a 4-inch wide leather belt and no supportive gear.

Awards will be presented to the top five places in each age/sex/weight class in both the assisted and raw divisions.

The fee for both powerlifting and bench press is $50, which includes a T-shirt to all entrants. On the day of the event, a $15 late fee will be assessed.

Registration forms are available at Payson Athletic Club. Call tournament directors Roma Brannon or Champ Garvin at (928) 537-2930 for more information.